Questions have been raised of patient care at Princess Alexandra Hospital after it was revealed there were 195 more deaths than expected last year.

The hospital trust in Harlow saw 1,626 patient deaths in 2017/18, 14 per cent higher than the expected 1,431.

That's according to the latest Summary Hospital-level Mortality Indicator (SHMI) published by the NHS on September 20, which records deaths associated with hospitals.

The report looked at the number of people who died either while in hospital or within 30 days of being discharged across 131 trusts in England between April 2017 and March 2018, comparing those figures to the number expected to die given the characteristics of patients treated there.

Princess Alexandra is one of just 13 trusts in the country with a 'higher than expected' SHMI banding.

Read More

Essex County Councillors revealed last month that plans for a new hospital in the town has been identified as one of seven schemes to be given the go ahead from central government.

An area in Harlow close to the M11 and another where thousands of homes are being developed in the Gilston Park are, have been revealed as two greenfield sites being considered for a new hospital for the town.

A third option would see the existing Princess Alexandra Hospital buildings in the centre of the town replaced with a brand new complex.

The hospital was taken out of special measures earlier this year and it now 'requires improvement'.

The Princess Alexandra Hospital Trust was approached for comment but have not responded by the time the paper went to press.